Window-sign



- (No Model.)

G.H.BABGIOCK.,Y

WINDOW SIGN. No. 362,350. Patented May-3, 1887.

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' UNITED STATES PATEIELQEHQL GEORGE H. BABOOOK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

WINDOW-SIGN;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 362,350, dated May 3, 1887.

Application filed October 30, 1886. Serial No. 217,6l1. (No model.)

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. BABoooK, of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements'in Window-Signs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in windowsigns in which the letters of the sign are made of suitable material mounted on wires, the latter being stretched across the inside of the sash, to the end that the sign is easily removed for cleaning the window or for changing the sign, or other purpose, and that the breakage of the window does not necessarily affect the sign.

My invent-ion also relates to the details of construction hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a window-sash with a sign mounted thereon embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation in transverse section on the line :0 0c of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are an elevation and section of a thimble that is set in the sash for attaching the wires. Fig.5 is a side elevation and plan of a spindle that is made to operate in the thimble for tightening the wires. Fig. 6 is a View in perspective of a portion of a spring-pawl that is made to engage the ratchet of the spindle. Fig. 7 is a view in perspective and elevation in section showing a device for bringing the wires near the glass in passing a crossbar of the sash. Fig. 8 illustrates the mechanism for detachably securing one end of the wires.

A represents a sash with wires B stretched across on the inside thereof,"on which are suspended the letters of the sign, in the present instance 0 and K. The letters are made ofv any suitable material-for instance, glass, metal, &c.-and have on their inner faces attached laterally projecting screw threaded studs 0, for securing the letters to the wires. Each stud is provided with a jam-nut, a, and a thumb-nut, 0. These are arranged in the desired position on the stud to bring the letters the required distance from the windowpane, it being desirable usually to have the letters close to the pane of glass. By turning the thumb-nuts the wires B are pinched between the two nuts sufficiently tight to hold the letters in place. The letters are therefore easily removed from the wires for cleaning, repairs, or other purposes, and the letters may be changed in a few moments when a new sign is wanted. The wires may be secured to one side of the sash in any convenient manner; but I prefer the device shown in Fig. 8. This device somewhat resembles the ordinary screweye, having a screw-point, D, and a longitudinal slot, (Z,with' a cross-bar, d, to which the wire is attached. WVhenthe wire is loosened,

by turning the cross-bar lengthwise of the slot, it may be passed through the latter, and the wires may be thus detached without removing the, screw-eye.

E is athimble that is set on the opposite side of the sash, the same having a flange, E, with screw-holes e, for securing the thimble to the face of the sash. The thimble,on one side, has a slot, 6, extending to near the bottom of the thimble, for the passage of the wire. The sash also is cut out to correspond with this groove.

F is a spindle on which the wire is wound for tightening the same. This spindle sets in the thimble, the latter having suitable bearings, as shown, at top and bottom, for journaling the spindle. The spindle has a ratchetwheel, f, that is engaged by a spring-pawl, G, the latter being attached to the outsidepf the flange E. The pawl has a laterally-,proj ecting lip, 9, that overlaps the ratchet-wheel and holds the spindle in place in the thimble. The outer end of the spindle has a groove, f, made to receive a screw-driver for turning the spindle, and has a hole, 1, through which the end of the wire is passed for fastening the same. When the parts arein position, by turning the spindle the wire is drawn taut, and held by means of the pawl.

When the sash has cross-bars, a bail H, may be secured to each cross-bar A, (see Fig. 7,) the said bail having loops h, for the passage of the wire, and a loop or hole, h, for securing thebail to the cross-bar by means of a wood-screw. By means of the bail the wires B are brought within a suitable distance of the window glass. A small hole might be made with a brad-awl or other tool through the cross-bar for the passage of the wire B, to accomplish the same purpose.

The wires should be quite small in diameter, and are preferably made of steel, on account of the great tensile strength of the latter, which would admit of using a very fine wire. The wires should be made black or of such color as, compared with the background, will render the wires as nearly invisible as possible.

What I claim is- 1. In window-signs, the combination, with wires stretched across the window, and letters orcharacters forming the sign mounted on the sa d wires, substantially as indicated, of a spindle mounted in the window sash or frame and a ratchet and pawl for tightening the wires, the parts being arranged substantially as described.

2. In window-signs, the combination, with wires stretched across the window, and letters or characters forming the sign, the same being mounted on the said wires, of screw-threaded studs attached to the respective letters, said studs being provided with jam-nuts for embracing the wires, substantially as set forth.

3. In window-signs, the combination, with wires stretched across the window, letters or characters forming the sign mounted on such wires, and suitable devices for tightening the wires, of a screw-eye for holding the one end of the wire, said screw-eye having an elongated eye or slot, and a cross-bar attached to the wire, saidcross-bar being adapted to span the slot and to pass through the slot when turned lengthwise of the same, substantially as set fort In testimony whereof I sign this specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 4th day of August, 1886.

GEORGE H. BABCOCK.

Witnesses:

CHAS. H. DORER, W. E. DONNELLY. 

